First Floridian city commits to 100% green energy

A Floridian city has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy.

St. Petersburg is the first city in the state and the 20th in the US to make the commitment, according to the Sierra Club, a group working to get US cities to adopt renewable energy.

The city council has allocated $250,000 (£200,000) of BP settlement funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill to putting together a renewable energy plan. This will aim to tackle climate change and increase the resiliency of the city’s power supply.

It solidifies Mayor Rick Kriseman’s statement earlier this year that he would set a net zero energy goal in the future.

The Sierra Club’s local branch heads the ‘Ready for 100% St. Pete’ campaign, which develops pilot programmes for residential and commercial renewables and raises public awareness about green issues.

Sierra Club Campaign Manager Emily Gorman said: “This is a historic moment for St. Pete. We envision a city where families can raise their kids in communities free from toxic pollution, where everyone has the opportunity for a good job and access to healthy, affordable energy.”

She added the transition will ensure a more resilient, sustainable and balanced future for all of the city’s residents.